Gilbert Melendez teams up with former Bellator president Scott Coker to create a new MMA promotion

Gilbert Melendez and former Bellator president Scott Coker have teamed up to create a new MMA promotion.

Coker stepped away from MMA after the Bellator and PFL merger, but he is now returning to the game. Former Strikeforce lightweight champion Melendez is starting his own MMA promotion in California and has brought along Coker to help him out. No fights have been announced for the event yet, but it is expected that the card will see both veterans and prospects on it.

After spending years fighting, commentating,analyzing,coaching, I'm excited to expand my contribution to Bay Area MMA.

I am teaming up with one of the greatest promoters in combat sports history @ScottCoker to bring you Fight Night at Tech May 18th at Tech CU Arena in San Jose… pic.twitter.com/Fismi58B0X

— Gilbert Melendez (@GilbertMelendez) March 14, 2024

“After spending years fighting, commentating, analyzing, coaching, I’m excited to expand my contribution to Bay Area MMA. I am teaming up with one of the greatest promoters in combat sports history @ScottCoker to bring you Fight Night at Tech May 18th at Tech CU Arena in San Jose CA,” Melendez wrote on X.

It is interesting that Scott Coker has decided to return to the promoting game, although this does seem like more of a regional show. Following the PFL-Bellator merger, Donn Davis offered Scott Coker a chance to stay on, but he decided to not join the PFL and will now instead help out Melendez with his promotion.

Coker has been involved in combat sports since 1985 when he founded Strikeforce. He then helped lead Bellator, but at age 61 he is now taking another shot with the promoting game, as he is helping out Melendez with his new venture in the MMA world.

Gilbert Melendez is 22-8 as a pro-MMA fighter and ended his career on a five-fight losing skid. Melendez went 1-6 in the UFC with his lone win coming against Diego Sanchez by decision. Melendez ended his career with a decision loss to Arnold Allen at UFC 239 in 2019. In his career, the former Strikeforce lightweight champion holds notable wins over Josh Thomson, Jorge Masvidal, and Clay Guida among others.